Systems and methods of processing a document in an imaging device

ABSTRACT

An imaging device and a method of processing a document at the imaging device which includes receiving a message associated with the document and an output language for the message, transmitting the message and the output language to a server communicatively connected to the imaging device, receiving from the server a translation of the message into the output language, and adding the translation to the document. An input language and an output language of the message associated with the document may be predetermined or may be received from a user of the imaging device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/227,717, filed contemporaneously herewith, entitled “SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS OF PROCESSING A DOCUMENT IN AN IMAGING DEVICE”, now U.S. Pat.No. 10,659,647 which is assigned to the assignee of the presentapplication.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENTIAL LISTING, ETC

None.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to printing documents and, moreparticularly, to methods of printing content associated with a documentprocessed in an imaging device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Language barriers typically exist in multi-cultural environments, suchas schools and industries, where senders and receivers may speak, readand/or write in different languages. When trying to communicateeffectively with people having another language background, there isthat risk that messages may not be understood by the receiving party ormay be misinterpreted and ignored. In schools, for example, immigrantparents may be able to understand little to no English contained in abroad range of communications sent by the school such as, but notlimited to, flyers or waivers for an upcoming class trip, party, orother activities. While services exist to attempt to bridge thisschool-parent communication barrier, school systems struggle with thenumber of families or recipients as well as the broad range of languageswhich need to be supported for any given school communication in orderto reach the largest number of recipients.

Depending upon the circumstances, failure to communicate effectively dueto inappropriate support for certain language services may cause legalconcerns, such as violations of parental civil rights. Systems in otherindustries, such as hospitals and banks, may also face similarchallenges. Consequently, industries may feel social and legal pressuresto identify effective solutions to help overcome this communicationproblem.

One method of providing translations to documents may involve the use ofoptical character recognition or OCR. A machine having an OCR functiondetects text on pre-printed documents and may be configured to determinea translation of the detected text. Since a translation of the documentdepends upon the detected text, there may be instances where thetranslation of the document may not be possible because the detectedtext is indiscernible. Recognition of content and translation of thefull content of the document may also consume time. A larger dictionaryor a more complex vocabulary of a language may be required to producemore accurate translations of the recognized text. Since documents maybe provided to people of many different language backgrounds, manuallyprocessing pre-printed documents via OCR from one language to aplurality of other pre-identified languages may be time consuming.

There is, therefore, a need to employ more efficient systems and methodsfor producing communications for users of different languagebackgrounds.

SUMMARY

Example methods for processing a document in an example imaging deviceas well as an imaging device having a non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium containing one or more instructions for processing thedocument are disclosed.

One example method for processing a document in the example imagingdevice includes receiving a message associated with the document and anoutput language for the message, transmitting the message and the outputlanguage to a server communicatively connected to the imaging device,receiving from the server a translation of the message into the outputlanguage, and adding the translation to the document.

Another example embodiment of a method for processing a document in theimaging device includes receiving a message associated with the documentand an output language for the message, transmitting the message and theoutput language to a server communicatively connected to the imagingdevice, receiving from the server a translation of the message into theoutput language, and adding the translation to an output page. In oneexample aspect, the output page contains a content of the document. Inanother example aspect, the output page does not contain a content ofthe document. In some example embodiments, the output page may beprinted and/or stored in the imaging device.

In some example aspects, the translation may be added to a predeterminedportion of an output page. In other example aspects, the translation maybe added to a selected page(s) of the document. In yet other exampleaspects, the translation may be added to a page separate from a documentpage.

Additional features and advantages of various example embodiments willbe better understood in view of the detailed description provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of the presentdisclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparentand will be better understood by reference to the following descriptionof example embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. Like reference numerals are used to indicate the same elementthroughout the specification.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example system for providingadditional data to a document for printing.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of one example method for generating a translatedmessage associated with the document in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example method for processing an inputdocument, according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example method for processing an inputdocument, according to another example embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example method for processing a documentgenerated from performing the example method in FIG. 3 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the detailsof construction and the arrangement of components set forth in thefollowing description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure iscapable of other example embodiments and of being practiced or of beingcarried out in various ways. For example, other example embodiments mayincorporate structural, chronological, process, and other changes.Examples merely typify possible variations. Individual components andfunctions are optional unless explicitly required, and the sequence ofoperations may vary. Portions and features of some example embodimentsmay be included or substituted for those of others. The scope of thepresent disclosure encompasses the appended claims and all availableequivalents. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken ina limited sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined bythe appended claims.

Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology usedherein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded aslimiting. The use herein of “including”, “comprising”, or “having” andvariations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter andequivalents thereof as well as additional items. Further, the use of theterms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity butrather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

In addition, it should be understood that example embodiments of thedisclosure include both hardware and electronic components or modulesthat, for purposes of discussion, may be illustrated and described as ifthe majority of the components were implemented solely in hardware.

It will be further understood that each block of the diagrams, andcombinations of blocks in the diagrams, respectively, may be implementedby computer program instructions. These computer program instructionsmay be loaded onto a general-purpose computer, special purpose computer,or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine,such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other dataprocessing apparatus may create means for implementing the functionalityof each block or combinations of blocks in the diagrams discussed indetail in the description below.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in anon-transitory computer-readable medium that may direct a computer orother programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readablemedium may produce an article of manufacture, including an instructionmeans that implements the function specified in the block or blocks. Thecomputer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer orother programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series ofoperational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmableapparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that theinstructions that execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus implement the functions specified in the block or blocks.

Accordingly, blocks of the diagrams support combinations of means forperforming the specified functions, combinations of steps for performingthe specified functions, and program instruction means for performingthe specified functions. It will also be understood that each block ofthe diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the diagrams, may beimplemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems thatperform the specified functions or steps or by combinations of specialpurpose hardware and computer instructions.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating one example system 100 for providingadditional data to a document for printing. Example system 100 includesan input document 105, an imaging device 110, a translations server 115and an output document 120. Imaging device 110 may be communicativelyconnected to translations server 115 through a network 125 which may bea wired connection, wireless connection, or a combination of both. Inputdocument 105 may be a pre-printed or an electronic document. In thepresent disclosure, imaging device 110 may process input document 105 togenerate output document 120. A receiver 130 may use a computing device133 to process content on output document 120.

Input document 105 may be a single-page document or a multiple-pagedocument. In one example embodiment, input document 105 may be apre-printed document for processing in imaging device 110, such as ascan job or a copy job. In one example aspect of this embodiment, anindividual or user, such as an owner 136 of input document 105, mayplace input document 105 on a scan area of imaging device 110 as a scanjob for producing a scanned image of input document 105. In anotherexample aspect, owner 136, of input document 105 may place inputdocument 105 on a copy area of imaging device 110, such as a copy jobfor producing another printed copy or output of input document 105.

In other example embodiments, input document 105 may be an electronicdocument stored in a storage medium separate from imaging device 105,such as a memory stick (not shown). In yet other example embodiments,input document 105 may be stored in a memory of a computing device (notshown) communicatively connected to imaging device 110. Input document105 may be viewed via an application (e.g., application 165) on imagingdevice 110. In one example aspect, the storage medium or the computingdevice may provide input document 105 in a printable format to imagingdevice 110 when sending input document 105 to imaging device 110 forprinting. In another example aspect, the storage medium or the computingdevice may convert input document 105 to a printable format prior to orwhile sending input document 105 to imaging device 110. In other exampleaspects, imaging device 110 may be configured to accept input document105 regardless of its format. In still other example aspects, imagingdevice 110 may include instructions to convert input document 105 to aprintable format prior to printing.

For purposes of discussing the present disclosure, owner 136 of inputdocument 105 may also be referred to as an owner of imaging device 110.However, it will be understood that in other example embodiments notshown, owner 136 of input document 105 may not be the owner of imagingdevice 110. In some example embodiments, input document 105 may be sentfor processing by imaging device 110 by another user (not shown) besidesowner 136.

Imaging device 110 may be a single-function printing device, accordingto one example embodiment. In other example embodiments, imaging device110 may be a multi-function device capable of other functions inaddition to printing, such as scanning, copying, faxing, e-mailing andthe like. In one example embodiment, imaging device 110 may include akeypad 140. Keypad 140 may be comprised of numbers, letters, symbols,and/or other characters. Keypad 140 may be a physical component onimaging device 110. In some example aspects, keypad 140 may be part of adisplay screen 142, such as a touch screen panel, of imaging device 110,as shown in FIG. 1 . Keypad 140 may be utilized by a user of imagingdevice 110 (e.g., owner 136) to input text on imaging device 110.

In another example embodiment, imaging device 110 may include an audioreceiving device 145, such as a microphone 145. Microphone 145 may beutilized by a user of imaging device to input voice data on imagingdevice 110. Keypad 140 and/or microphone 145 may be removable componentsfrom imaging device 110. Keypad 140 and/or microphone 145 may beutilized by owner 136 to transmit an instruction 150 to imaging device110. Instruction 150 may be associated with input document 105. In otherexample embodiments, instruction 150 may be provided from the computingdevice where input document 105 originated (not shown) and not viaimaging device 110.

Instruction 150 may include a message 155 and an output language 160.Message 155 may be a text message, a voice message, or a combination ofboth. Message 155 may be a set of instructions related to input document105. Keypad 140 may be utilized by owner 136 to input a text message155. Microphone 145 may be utilized by owner 136 to input a voicemessage 155. Output language 160 may be indicated via keypad 140 ormicrophone 145 on imaging device 110. Message 155 may be limited to apredetermined number of words or characters. Output language 160 may bea language desired by owner 136 for translating message 155. Forexample, when message 155 is in English, owner 136 may set outputlanguage 160 to French. Owner 136 may select output language 160depending on a language background of receiver 130. Imaging device 110may provide a set of prompts on display screen 142 for owner 136 toindicate message 155 is associated with input document 105 and outputlanguage 160 for message 155. While output language 160 is shown as partof instruction 150, instruction 150 may include only message 155 in someother example embodiments. For example, output language 160 may be apredetermined language in example system 100.

Imaging device 110 may include an application 165. Application 165 mayinclude an instruction to identify input document 105. Application 165may include an instruction to receive message 155 and output language160 (together forming instruction 150) associated with input document105 via keypad 140 and/or microphone 145 of imaging device 110.Application 165 may set a character limit for message 155. Application165 may also set a predetermined list of languages for selection asoutput language 160. Application 165 may include one or moreinstructions for performing a method of printing instructions associatedwith input document 105, as will be discussed in greater detail below.

Application 165 may include a machine-readable image or code generator170. In one example embodiment of the present disclosure, generator 170may be a module in imaging device 110. In another example embodiment,generator 170 may be a module separate from imaging device 110 butaccessible through application 165. Generator 170 may include aninstruction to generate a code 185 readable or otherwise capable ofbeing interpreted by computing device 133. Code 185 may be associatedwith or connected to an identifier of translated message 175 as storedin a database or other storage medium 180. In one example embodiment andas illustrated in the present disclosure, code 185 may be a QR code 185.Besides QR code 185, other types of encoding mechanisms which directcomputing device 133 to translated message 175 may be practiced or used.

Translations server 115 may be a server communicatively connected toapplication 165 in imaging device 110. Translations server 115 mayinclude an instruction to convert message 155 from its original languageto output language 160. Translations server 115 may receive instruction150 (message 155 and output language 160) from application 165.Following receipt of instruction 150, translations server 115 maydetermine output language 160 and may then translate message 155 tooutput language 160. In one example embodiment, translations server 115may include an instruction to determine an original language of message155 prior to translating message 155 to output language 160. In anotherexample embodiment, imaging device 110 may receive from owner 136 theoriginal language of message 155 as an input language and send theoriginal language to translations server 115. In some other exampleembodiments, output language 160 may be preset in translations server115 or in application 165 of imaging device 110. A translated message175 may be generated by translations server 115 as a result oftranslating message 155 to output language 160. Translations server 115may include database 180 for storing translated message 175.

Output document 120 may be a document resulting from processing inputdocument 105. Output document 120 may be a printed document or anelectronic document stored in imaging device 110 or in database 180. Inone example embodiment, output document 120 may include content of inputdocument 105 and QR code 185. In another example embodiment, outputdocument 120 may include content of input document 105 and translatedmessage 175. In other example embodiments, output document 120 may referto a page separate from a page of input document 105 and including QRcode 185. In yet other example embodiments, output document 120 mayrefer to a page separate from a page of input document 105 and includingonly translated message 175. In some example aspects, output document120 may further include a translation icon 190. Translation icon 190 maybe positioned adjacent QR code 185 to complement QR code 185.Translation icon 190 may be an icon indicating translation of message155 from one language to output language 160. For example, where QR code185 links to a translation of an English message 155 to French,translation icon 190 may visually indicate that translated message 175linked to QR code 185 is a translation of an English message into theFrench language. Translation icon 190 may be predetermined byapplication 165. Translation con 190 may be based upon an originallanguage of message 155 and output language 160. Other visualrepresentations to indicate a nature of QR code 185 besides translationicon 190, such as whether it links to a text translation or an audiotranslation, may be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Computing device 133 may be a computing device owned by receiver 130.Computing device 133 may be a mobile device, such as a laptop, asmartphone, or a tablet. In some alternative example embodiments,computing device 133 may be a workstation computer. In one exampleembodiment of the present disclosure, computing device 133 may beequipped with a reader 195. In one example embodiment, reader 195 may bean application installed in computing device 133 which includesinstructions to detect and read or scan an image or code on a printeddocument, such as QR code 185 on output document 120. While scanning QRcode 185 on output document 120, reader 195 may execute a page linkingto translated message 175 in database 180 of translations server 115.

Output document 120 may include the same content as input document 105.In some example aspects, output document 120 may include an identifier(e.g., QR code 185) linking to translated message 175 or linking totranslated message 175 itself. For example, input document 105 may be awaiver for a class activity. The class instructor may send inputdocument 105 to imaging device 110, along with instruction 150 stating,“Please sign the document on the line highlighted in yellow to allowyour child to attend the class trip to the city zoo this coming Monday”(message 155) for translation to French (output language 160). Imagingdevice 110 may print output document 120 including QR code 185, which isgenerated based upon instruction 150. Following receipt of outputdocument 120 and upon seeing QR code 185 on output document 120,receiver 130 may scan QR code 185 using reader 195 in computing device133 to view or otherwise access translated message 175. Since translatedmessage 175 may coincide with a language background of receiver 130,translated message 175 may allow receiver 130 to understand how tomanage output document 120 or, more specifically, what action toperform. In some example embodiments, translated message 175 may providereceiver 130 with information receiver 130 needs to know.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of one example method 200 for generatingtranslated message 175 associated with input document 105 in FIG. 1 .Blocks 205-250 will be discussed in conjunction with the componentsshown in FIG. 1 . Example method 200 may be performed by application 165in imaging device 110.

At block 205, application 165 may be launched in imaging device 110.Application 165 may be launched by a user of imaging device 110 or owner136 of input document 105. In one example embodiment, owner 136 may sendinput document 105 from a computing device (not shown) to imaging device110 as a print job and may then access input document 105 in imagingdevice 110 via application 165. In another example embodiment, owner 136may launch application 165 and retrieve input document 105 from astorage location (not shown) communicatively connected to imaging device110. Application 165 may include a set of user interfaces for displayingon display screen 142 of imaging device 110. For example, a first userinterface may request an identifier of input document 105 from owner136, a second user interface may request message 155 associated withinput document 105 while a third user interface may request outputlanguage 160 for translating message 155. Output language 160 may bebased on a language background of receiver 130.

At block 210, application 165 may receive input document 105. Asdiscussed above, input document 105 may be a print job, a scan job, oranother type of job for processing by imaging device 110. As describedin connection with FIG. 1 , input document 105 may be a pre-printeddocument. In other example embodiments, input document 105 may be anelectronic document sent by a computing device (not shown) to imagingdevice 110 and/or selected by owner 136 on imaging device 110 viaapplication 165.

At block 215, application 165 may receive message 155. In one exampleembodiment, message 155 may be entered by owner 136 via keypad 140 onimaging device 110. In another example embodiment, message 155 may beentered via microphone 145 on imaging device 110. In other exampleembodiments, message 155 may be a combination of user inputs from keypad140 and microphone 145.

At block 220, application 165 may receive an indication that message 155is complete or that owner 136 has completed entering message 155 onimaging device 110. In one example embodiment, a button may be providedon display screen 142 of imaging device 110 for owner 136 to indicatewhen message 155 is complete. In another example embodiment, application165 may be configured to determine that message 155 is complete whenmessage 155 reaches a predetermined character limit. In other exampleembodiments, application 165 may determine that message 155 is completewhen owner 136 or another user of imaging device 110 has entered apredetermined character or symbol on display screen 142 of imagingdevice 110. For example, application 165 may be configured to determinethat message 155 is complete when a period or dot character is detectedwhen message 155 is entered via keypad 140.

At block 225, application 165 may receive output language 160. Anotherscreen display including a set of predetermined languages may beprovided on display screen 142 for owner 136 to select output language160. Application 165 may also receive an indication from owner 136 thata language among the set of predetermined languages has been selected asoutput language 160. For example, application 165 may be configured todetermine which among the predetermined languages displayed on displayscreen 142 has been selected or tapped by owner 136. In other exampleembodiments, output language 160 may be predetermined by application165. For example, output language may be set to French in a server (notshown) communicatively connected to application 165 and may be reset toanother language anytime.

At block 230, application 165 may determine whether a notification isdesired by owner 136 so owner 136 may be informed that translatedmessage 175 has been accessed (e.g., listened to or viewed) by receiver130 via QR code 185 on output document 120. At block 235, following adetermination that a notification is desired by owner 136, owner 136 mayinput his or her contact information in application 165, such as ane-mail address or a mobile phone number. Another screen may be displayedon display screen 142 for owner 136 to input his or her contactinformation. Other methods for tracking access of translated message 175stored in database 180 may be based upon a designer's choice.

At block 240, application 165 may send instruction 150 (comprisingmessage 155 and output language 160) to translations server 115. Block240 may be performed following a determination that a notification isnot desired. In some example alternate embodiments, block 240 may beperformed following receipt of contact information from owner 136 (block235). In some example aspects, application 165 may send the contactinformation received at block 235 along with instruction 150.

At block 245, application 165 may receive a notification fromtranslations server 115 regarding successful creation of translatedmessage 175 and/or successful translation of message 155 to outputlanguage 160.

At block 250, application 165 may receive an identifier fromtranslations server 115 linking to translated message 175. In someexample aspects, the identifier may be part of the notification at block245. The identifier may be an address corresponding to a location indatabase 180 where translated message 175 is stored. In other exampleembodiments, application 165 may receive translated message 175 insteadof the identifier. Translated message 175 may be a text translation ofmessage 155 in output language 160 or an audio translation of message155 in output language 160.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example method 300 for processing inputdocument 105, according to one example embodiment. Blocks 305-320 may beperformed following example method 200 in FIG. 2 . Example method 300may be performed by application 165 in imaging device 110.

At block 305, application 165 may convert the identifier received atblock 250 in example method 200 of FIG. 2 to QR code 185 using generator170 in imaging device 110. Methods of converting a link to a QR code maybe known to those skilled in the art.

At block 310, application 165 may determine an appropriate icon ortranslation icon 190. As discussed above, translation icon 190 may bedependent on an original language of message 155 and output language160. Other types of visual representations to complement QR code 185besides translation icon 190 may be apparent to those skilled in theart. Block 310 may also be optional such that no other icons aside fromQR code 185 may be present on output document 120.

At block 315, application 165 may determine whether input document 105is a single-page document or a multiple-page document. Upon adetermination that input document 105 is a single-page document,application 165 may proceed to perform the action in block 320.Otherwise, application 165 may proceed to block 335.

At block 320, following a determination that input document 105 is asingle-page document, application 165 may then determine whether to addQR code 185 and/or translation icon 190 to input document 105. Upon adetermination to add QR code 185 and/or translation icon 190 to inputdocument 105, application may proceed to perform the action in block325. Otherwise, application 165 may proceed to block 340.

In one example embodiment, application 165 may determine whether it ispre-configured in imaging device 110 to add QR code 185 and translationicon 190 to all single-page input documents. In another exampleembodiment, application 165 may generate a display on display screen 142of imaging device 110 asking owner 136 of input document 105 whether QRcode 185 and/or translation icon 190 are desired to be added tosingle-page input document 105.

At block 325, following a determination that QR code 185 and/ortranslation icon 190 is desired to be added to input document 105,application 165 may resize a content of input document 105 toaccommodate the inclusion of QR code 185 (block 305) and/or translationicon 190 (block 310) prior to creating output document 120. In oneexample embodiment, a size of a raster image of input document 105relative to a media sheet page, as stored in a memory (not shown) ofimaging device 110, may be reduced. For example, the raster image may berescaled to about 80%.

A location of QR code 185 and/or translation icon 190 relative to theresized content of input document 105 may be predetermined inapplication 165. For example, and as shown in FIG. 1 , QR code 185and/or translation icon 190 may be predetermined to be located along abottom portion of a media sheet page of output document 120. In otherexample embodiments, application 165 may allow owner 136 of inputdocument 105 to select a location of QR code 185 and/or translation icon190 relative to content of input document 105 following the resizing.For example, in some example aspects, QR code 185 and/or translationicon 190 may be located along a side of the media sheet page adjacent acontent of output document 120. In other example aspects, QR code 185may be located on a back portion of output document 120 when inputdocument 105 is a one-sided document.

At block 330, application 165 may print a hardcopy of output document120. In some example aspects, application 165 may store output document120 as an electronic document in lieu of or in addition to printing ahard copy of output document 120. A preview of output document 120 maybe provided to owner 136 prior printing or storing in some exampleembodiments. A location of QR code 185 and/or translation icon 190 on amedia sheet may be adjusted or modified by owner 136 using an inputdevice and display screen 142 of imaging device 110 prior to printing orstoring output document 120. As such, QR code 185 and/or translationicon 190 may be appear at another location instead of at thepredetermined location. Output document 120 may be stored in a memory(not shown) of imaging device 110 or in database 180 of translationsserver 115.

With reference back to block 315, following a determination that inputdocument 105 is a multiple-page document, application 165 (at block 335)may determine whether QR code 185 and/or translation icon 190 arepredetermined to be positioned on one or more pages of multiple-pageinput document 105. Upon a determination that one or more pages of themultiple-page input document 105 are to include QR code 185 and/ortranslation icon 190, application 165 may resize the content of eachsuch determined page of input document 105 to accommodate the placementof QR code 185 and/or translation icon 190 on each such determined page(block 325).

At block 340, following a determination that multiple-page inputdocument 105 does not include one or more pages on which QR code 185and/or translation icon 190 may be positioned, application 165 maycreate a new page associated with input document 105 and output document120.

At block 345, application 165 may then add QR code 185 and/ortranslation icon 190 to the created new page. In one example embodiment,application 165 may add QR code 185 and/or translation icon 190 at apredetermined location of the created new page. In another exampleembodiment, application 165 may generate a display on display screen 142of imaging device 110 asking owner 136 of input document 105 for aposition to locate QR code 185 and/or translation icon 190 on thecreated new page. Following the addition of QR code 185 and/ortranslation icon 190 to the created new page, application 165 mayproceed to performing the action in block 330, as described above.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example method 400 for processing inputdocument 105, according to another example embodiment. Blocks 405-425may be performed following example method 200 of FIG. 2 . Example method400 may also be performed by application 165 in imaging device 110.

At block 405, application 165 may determine translated message 175 basedupon the identifier received in block 250 of method 200 (FIG. 2 ). Inone example embodiment, application 165 may retrieve translated message175 from database 180 of translations server 115 using the identifierreceived from translations server 115. In another example embodiment,application 165 may request translated message 175 from translationsserver 115. In this example embodiment, application 165 may indicate theidentifier when sending the request. Application 165 may receivetranslated message 175 from translations server 115 following therequest.

At block 410, application 165 may determine whether input document 105is a single-page document or a multiple-page document. Upon adetermination that input document 105 is a single-page document,application 165 may proceed to perform the action in block 415.Otherwise, application 165 may proceed to block 430.

At block 415, following a determination that input document 105 is asingle-page document, application 165 may then determine whether to addtranslated message 175 to input document 105. Upon a determination toadd translated message 175 to input document 105, application 165 mayproceed to perform the action in block 420. Otherwise, application 165may proceed to block 435.

In one example embodiment, application 165 may determine whether it ispre-configured in imaging device 110 to add translated message 175 toall single-page input documents. In another example embodiment,application 165 may generate a display on display screen 142 of imagingdevice 110 asking owner 136 of input document 105 whether translatedmessage 175 is desired to be added to single-page input document 105.

At block 420, following a determination that translated message 175 isto be added to input document 105, application 165 may resize a contentof input document 105 to accommodate translated message 175 and tocreate output document 120. In one example embodiment, a size of araster image of input document 105 relative to a media sheet page, asstored in a memory (not shown) of imaging device 110, may be reduced.For example, the raster image may be rescaled to about 80%.

A location of translated message 175 relative to the resized content ofinput document 105 may be predetermined in application 165. Similar toQR code 185 and translation icon 190, translated message 175 may bepredetermined to be located along a bottom portion of a media sheetpage. In this example embodiment, message 155 may be limited to apredetermined number of words or characters for translated message 175in order to fit both translated message 175 and the content of inputdocument 105 on a media sheet page. In other example embodiments,application 165 may allow owner 136 of input document 105 to select alocation of translated message 175 relative to content of input document105 following the resizing. In some other example embodiments,application 165 may allow owner 136 of input document 105 to customizethe amount of area or space for translated message 175. In some exampleaspects, translated message 175 may be located along a side of the mediasheet page adjacent a content of output document 120. In other exampleaspects, translated message 175 may be placed on a back portion ofoutput document 120 when input document 105 is a single-sided document.

At block 425, application 165 may print a hardcopy of output document120. In some example aspects, application 165 may store output document120 as an electronic document in lieu of or in addition to printing ahardcopy of output document 120. A preview of output document 120 may beprovided to owner 136 prior printing or storing in some exampleembodiments. A location of translated message 175 on a media sheet maybe adjusted or modified by owner 136 using an input device and displayscreen 142 of imaging device 110 prior to printing or storing outputdocument 120. As such, translated message 175 may be placed at adifferent location on a media sheet page instead of the predeterminedlocation. Output document 120 may be stored in a memory (not shown) ofimaging device 110 or in database 180 of translations server 115.

At block 430, following a determination that input document 105 is amultiple-page document, application 165 may determine whether translatedmessage 175 is predetermined to be positioned on one or more pages ofmultiple-page input document 105. Upon a determination that one or morepages of the multiple-page input document 105 are to include translatedmessage 175, application 165 may resize the content of each suchdetermined page of input document 105 to accommodate the placement oftranslated message 175 on each such determined page (block 420).

At block 435, following a determination that multiple-page inputdocument 105 does not include one or more pages on which translatedmessage 175 may be positioned, application 165 may create a new pageassociated with input document 105 and output document 120.

At block 440, application 165 may add translated message 175 to thecreated new page. In one example embodiment, application 165 may addtranslated message 175 at a predetermined location of the created newpage. In another example embodiment, application 165 may generate adisplay on display screen 142 of imaging device 110 asking owner 136 ofinput document 105 for a position to locate translated message 175 onthe created new page. Following the addition of translated message 175to the created new page, application 165 may proceed to performing theaction in block 425, as described above.

The resulting pages at block 345 (FIG. 3 ) and block 440 (FIG. 4 ) maybe treated as part of output document 120. In one example embodiment,when selecting documents to be printed on imaging device 105,application 165 may present input document 105 and the newly createdpage for the user to select for printing. Input document 105 and/or thenewly created page may be printed upon user request. In other exampleembodiments, the resulting page at block 345 may be appended to inputdocument 105. As such, when input document 105 is printed, the resultingpage may also be printed. The appended page may be configured as a coverpage of output document 120. In some alternate example embodiments, theappended page may be configured as an end page for output document 120.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example method 500 for processing outputdocument 120. Blocks 505-525 of example method 500 may be performedfollowing the performance of example method 300 of FIG. 3 . Outputdocument 120 in FIG. 5 refers to the example embodiment where QR code185 and/or translation icon 190 are incorporated into output document120, as discussed in FIG. 3 .

At block 505, receiver 130 may receive output document 120. In oneexample embodiment, owner 136 may physically hand over output document120 to receiver 130. In other example embodiments, output document 120may be scanned and a scanned image of output document 120 may beprovided to receiver 130. Copies of output document 120 may be providedto multiple receivers which may include receiver 130.

At block 510, receiver 130 may process QR code 185 on output document120. Receiver 130 may use reader 195 on computing device 133 to processQR code 185. A camera (not shown) of computing device 133 may be used toscan QR code 185. Scanning QR code 185 links reader 195 to an identifierin database 180 where translated message 175 is stored.

At block 515, receiver 130 may access translated message 175 followingprocessing of QR code 185. Translated message 175 may be viewedfollowing the processing of QR code 185. Reader 195 may include aninstruction to retrieve translated message 175 from the identifier atblock 510 or to request translations server 115 to send translatedmessage 175 to computing device 133 using the identifier. Translatedmessage 175 may be outputted in reader 195. In one example embodiment,translated message 175 may be played as an audio output in reader 195 ofcomputing device 133. In another example embodiment, translated message175 may be displayed as a text output in reader 195 of computing device133. Reader 195 may include a browser for displaying translated message175 on computing device 133. In other example embodiments, reader 195may execute another application to play audio content and/or displaytext content of translated message 175 on computing device 133.

At block 520, following access of translated message 175, translationsserver 175 may send a notification to owner 136 of input document 105notifying owner 136 that translated message 175 has been accessed (i.e.,listened to, opened by or read by) receiver 130. In some exampleembodiments, a notification may also be configured to be sent to anadministrator of translations server 115 (not shown). In other exampleembodiments, translations server 175 may send a notification to receiver130 that a notification has been sent to owner 136 regarding access oftranslated message 175.

At block 525, upon a determination that translated message 175 has beenaccessed, translations server 175 may delete translated message 175 indatabase 180. In some example embodiments, translated message 175 may beautomatically deleted in translations server 115 upon a determinationthat translated message 175 has been accessed. In some example aspects,translations server 175 may also delete instruction 150 received fromimaging device 110. In other example embodiments, translated message 175may be deleted after a predetermined period of storage in database 180.For example, in some example aspects, translations server 175 mayinclude an instruction to delete translated message 175 following adetermination that a month has passed without translated message 175being accessed. In other example aspects, translations server 175 mayinclude an instruction to delete translated message 175 a predeterminedamount of time after translated message 175 was stored in database 180.

In another example embodiment, QR code 185 may also store (in additionto a link to translated message 175) information regarding owner 136,such as contact information of owner 136. In this manner, receiver 130may be able to directly contact owner 136 regarding the communicationreceived when scanning QR code 185 on computing device 133. In otherexample embodiments, while application 165 is illustrated as anapplication installed in imaging device 110, application 165 may be aweb-based application accessible through a web browser on imaging device110. In this example embodiment, application 165 may be accessible viaimaging device 110 and/or a computing device of owner 136. For example,owner 136 may access application 165 via the computing device and mayprovide instruction 150 associated with input document 105 to imagingdevice 110. In the same example embodiment, following the transmissionof input document 105 and instruction 150 to imaging device 110, owner136 may access application 165 via imaging device 110 and select inputdocument 105 and instruction 150 for processing in imaging device 110.

The abovementioned example methods leverage features of imaging devices,which typically includes printing, scanning, copying, faxing, and/ore-mailing, to include a solution to the abovementioned problem ofproviding communications to people of different language backgrounds.Using the abovementioned example methods, a document may be provided topeople of different language backgrounds with the assurance that theymay be able to execute actions related to the handling of the documentsince a translation of the instructions is provided with the document.For example, copies of a document with the same instruction (e.g., thatthere will be a parent meeting on Monday) may be reproduced with a linkto or with a translation of the instruction or information in differentlanguages based upon a language background of the receiving party.

It will be appreciated that the actions described and shown in theexample flowcharts may be carried out or performed in any suitableorder. It will also be appreciated that not all of the actions describedin FIGS. 2-5 need to be performed in accordance with the exampleembodiments and/or additional actions may be performed in accordancewith other example embodiments.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which thisdisclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specificexample embodiments disclosed and that modifications and otherembodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appendedclaims. The machine-readable code associated with the document beingprocessed as described above may also be used in the same or similarmanner in another industry, such as healthcare, to provide a languageand/or an accessibility solution. Although specific terms are employedherein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and notfor purposes of limitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of processing a document having page content at an imaging device, comprising: receiving at the imaging device a voice or text message associated with the document and an output language for the voice or text message, the voice or text message not being the page content of the document; transmitting the voice or text message and the output language to a server communicatively connected to the imaging device; receiving from the server a translation of the voice or text message into the output language, the translation corresponding to a QR code or a translated message; and adding by the imaging device the translation of the voice or text message to a printed copy of the page content of the document, the adding of the translation of the voice or text message including creating a new page showing the translation of the voice or text message or resizing the page content of the document to fit the translation of the voice or text message with the document.
 2. The method of claim 1, further including adding to the document a translation icon indicating a first to a second language of the translation.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: determining whether the document includes one or more output pages for containing the translation upon the determination that the document is a multiple-page document.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether the document is one of a single-page document and a multiple-page document prior to the adding the translation to the document.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the adding the translation comprises adding the translation to a user-selected portion of the document.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the document in a memory associated with the imaging device after the adding the translation to the document.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying an original language of the voice or text message and sending the original language to the server.
 8. An imaging device, comprising: a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing one or more instructions for processing a document having page content, the one or more instructions comprising an instruction to: receive a voice or text message associated with the document and an output language the voice or text message not being the page content of the document; send the voice or text message to a server communicatively connected to the imaging device; receive, from the server, a translation of the voice or text message in the output language, the translation corresponding to a QR code or a translated message; and add the translation of the voice or text message to a printed copy of the page content of the document, including an instruction to create a new page of the document having the translation or to resize the page content of the document to fit the translation of the voice or text message with the document.
 9. The imaging device of claim 8, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further comprises an instruction to: store an electronic version of the document with the added translation.
 10. The imaging device of claim 8, further comprising at least one of a keypad and a microphone for receiving, from a user, at least one of the message and the output language. 